. >> reporter: for president obama it was a much needed shot in the arm. >> this morning we found out that the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level since i took office. [ cheering and applause ] >> speaking at george mason university in fairfax the president held up the new 7.8% unemployment rate as proof that his policies are working. >> but today's news certainly is not an excuse to try to talk down the economy to score a few political points. nts. it's a reminder that this country has come too far to turn back now. >> reporter: >> but across the state in abington, virginia, mitt romney cast doubt on those numbers. >> the truth is if the same share of people were participating in the workforce today as on the day the president was elected, or unemployment rate would be around 11%. that's the real reality of what's happening out there. >> the president's fairfax speechad been aimed at his record on women's issues, a group i says has been helped by his healthcare -- he says has been helped by his healthcare reform law. >> i don't think working mom in arlington should have